Job Description

At the Upstream Lab, our research is driven by the desire to promote health equity and address social determinants of health. The Upstream Lab aims to improve the health and well-being of patients by driving upstream action on social determinants, and support the integration of upstream prevention approaches within primary healthcare in Canada and beyond.

About the PREPARED Initiative

The

Pandemic Preparedness Engaging Primary Care and Emergency Departments (PREPARED)

aims to build a national, integrated early warning system for pandemics by leveraging real-time clinical data, rapid diagnostic testing, and collaborative networks across primary care and emergency departments in six provinces.


We are seeking an experienced and driven Project Manager to lead the coordination, implementation, and operational oversight of the PREPARED initiative. This role will serve as a central hub between academic institutions, clinical sites, research teams, public health agencies, and industry partners across Canada.


The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator, highly organized, experienced in managing large, multi-stakeholder research or healthcare projects, and passionate about health innovation and systems change.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Leadership and Operations:

Manage day-to-day operations across multiple study sites. Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, risk assessments, and deliverables. Monitor project milestones, including timelines, staffing, and resource needs. Ensure project goals, objectives, and deliverables are met within the required timelines. Proactively manage changes in study scope, identify risks, and implement contingency plans. Manage project budget and ensure compliance with funder requirements in collaboration with the Research Program Manager. Plan and lead national meetings, including scheduling and inviting guest speakers. Represent the Principal Investigator (PI) in meetings or negotiations when the PI is unavailable. Lead regular meetings and updates with national and provincial project teams. Facilitate collaboration between clinical, technical, academic, and community stakeholders. Liaise with investigators, administrative staff, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and progress Conducts administrative and technical research and contributes to professional publications, presentations, posters, manuscript preparations, and knowledge translation products

Team Coordination, Training, Supervision:


Schedule staffing and maintain optimal coverage (daily, vacation, and sick time). Responsible for hiring staff in collaboration with the Research Program Manager. Ensure staff are supported in performing duties effectively and efficiently. Appraise staff performance and create a PIP (when required) in consultation with the PI and/or Research Program Manager. Provide training, daily guidance, and coordination for Research Assistants and Coordinators. Develop, implement, and maintain high-quality procedures and workflows. Create and maintain training documents for staff across sites including standard operating procedures (SOPs) Provide training for and enforce adherence to SOPs. Actively promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the team and workplace. May assist in recruiting and managing patient partners as part of the research team.

Research Oversight:


Lead preparation and submission of research ethics applications, including amendments, renewals and other reportable events such as protocol deviations. Update the PI and study team on project activities, including administrative, protocol-related, data management, quality, and regulatory issues Collaborate with the Office of Research Administration on legal and confidentiality documentation; May help draft or review research contracts, clarify deliverables, and collaborate with the Contracts department. Negotiate contracts, find quotes and secure vendors through procurement services. Negotiate fund and expense requests from other sites/institutions, in adherence with the project budget. Develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards for the research program. Takes on and completes other duties/tasks as required.

Qualifications

Bachelors of Science degree or Masters in related discipline with minimum 5 years related research experience / multi-site research projects Proven experience managing budgets, timelines and team operations Experience relationship building with multiple stakeholders including clinical teams, researchers, administrative departments Demonstrated experience with research ethics submissions Experience with EMR systems and building EDCs At least 2-3 years of leadership and managerial experience Experience in research focused on primary care, emergency departments an asset Strong planning, organizational, and time-management skills. Ability to manage complex workflows and meet deadlines across multiple sites. Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal skills Ability to lead and facilitate team meetings and coordinate across diverse groups. Proven supervisory and team-building skills. Skilled in fostering inclusive and respectful workplace environments. Experience managing complex, multi-site research initiatives. Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple projects in a timely manner and flexibility to adapt to changing workload Professionalism and self-motivation Strong problem-solving skills Able to work independently and as part of a team Ability to work under pressure and attention to detail




Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.